Saturday, November 10, 2007

Glory to the King

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"

~David Livingstone

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. "

Matthew 16:24

When we consider honor versus sacrifice only one fundamental question need be answered - For whose glory comes the commission? For to be honored by a king brings glory to the one who is exalted. But sacrifice for a King brings glory to that King.

Sacrifice demands we lose ourself in the identity of the One for whom we are seeking fame. For many this would mean we become lost in ourselves - our own desires, plans, ambitions, indulgences. But for the woman who is seeking to bring fame to Her Heavenly Father, we become lost in His beauty, His righteousness, His forgiveness, His sacrifice. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, John the Baptist proclaimed, "I must become less, He must become more." However, when sacrifice has been experienced by both parties, both are honored.

I am reminded of my favorite scene in conclusion of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. As the rightful King Aragorn is being coronated, everyone in the Kingdom bows before him. He approaches the four hobbits whose sacrifice has brought about his return to the throne. He raises them to their feet and says, "My friends, you bow for no one". Aragorn recognized the great personal sacrifice that resulted in his being honored so he returned this glory upon his friends. It is a wonderful picture of God seating us in the heavenlies when we give our lives for the sake of His Son's.

Today as we consider this passage, remember whose glory we are seeking. For Matthew 16:27 says, "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."

May we be found faithful.

Note: This devotion was adapted from an earlier writing on my personal blog. This week has been one of intense sadness as friends have lost a 6-month old baby to SIDS. Another dear friend's father has passed. My grandmother has also suffered a fall and her care is a great source of stress for our family right now. I ask you to please pray for the comfort only the King of Kings can bring. May our worship in difficult times bring Him the honor He is due.